Buh-Bye Sai Gon....

Friday, January 20, 2012
Posted by Tootsie & TwoLively

As previously mentioned, we were eager to see the sights of Sai Gon--then head back to the spot where we originally began our trip, the city of My Tho (because it was quieter and more laid-back...our safe, happy place.) We brainstormed and decided which Sai Gon attractions we'd like to see (earlier, Cousin told us there was a silkworm farm in Sai Gon, but unfortunately we couldn't find any info on where it was located.) The top Sai Gon attractions we wanted to see were within walking distance of our hotel.

"Hi" Napkins (when found) are always folded into small triangles...Oz translating into his phone...
Our navigators debate the course...Street vendors (notice the intricate carved messages on the watermelons...and the coconuts had carved bases, too)

We started off our day by heading to the Presidential Palace. It was a huge building...with no air-conditioning, and no breeze! The main elevator was out-of-order, so we had to fight a throng of school children for the remaining elevator. There were microphones for the tour guides to use, and since we were on our own self-guided tour, Oz made use of the equipment. To our surprise, we heard Oz's familiar voice broadcast over the speakers, welcoming us to his palace. Later, Tootsie defied the posted sign, and *almost* touched the piano. Tootsie and TwoLively opted not to trek down to the bunker, so they found some chairs outside in the shade, where there was a breeze. While Tootsie contemplated running into the royal fountain, TwoLively fell asleep with her mouth wide open (twice--and nearly fell out of her chair!)

The last pictures are of the underground bunker, and the tank is a replica of the one that crashed thru the gates,
overtaking the Presidential Palace...the fall of Sai Gon.

After causing enough rucus at the palace, we decided to punish ourselves by going to the War Remnant Museum. There is much to say--and not to say--about "historical truths" served up with an (American) family-sized side of guilt. Who knew that all birth defects in Vietnam stem from one source: Dioxin (aka Agent Orange.) Nasty, terrible stuff! The full recap of this museum will be discussed in an open forum, at Family Travel Night. On a sidenote: we knew the museum closed for lunch, but we were caught offguard when precisely at noon, a bell rang, and all the museum lights went out!

Airplanes...a mother crosses a river with her children to escape...a soldier cries when he learns people he'd talked to minutes before were killed.

On the walk home, we decided to stop by the Water Puppet Show, to pre-purchase our tickets. We knew we were in the general area, but the map did not show precise locations. MarcoPolo would like our readers to know we WERE NOT lost! We simply did not know the specific location... Here is where I'd like to record a smarmy, special note for all posterity to read:

                                            On Friday, January 20th, TwoLively was right! 

In a moment of serendipity, I turned the map, noticed the side street, and realized it was tucked back in the middle of the block. Yes, bless my sweet dippity, I was right!

The Water Puppet boxoffice was closed, but we sat out front anyway, perplexing the guards, trying to catch our breath and cool down. It was 1 1/2 hours until the boxoffice opened again, so Oz and Monte graciously offered to walk back to the boxoffice to purchase our tickets (while some of us had a DELICIOUS nap!)

As we walked home, MarcoPolo and Monte trailed slightly behind the group. We passed several hair salons, where the women wore suspiciously low-cut, micro-mini pleather outfits. Our suspicions were confirmed when MarcoPolo and Monte later told us that they--the BALD men--were offered a "shampoo."

We stopped at a frozen yogurt shop, and most of us ordered club sandwiches, which had a piece of ham, egg, and cheese--but was tasty nonetheless.

Resting on steps..."Safe" place to shop...Dragon hedge...
"Club" sandwich...Shampoo, baldie? (Marco took pictures on the sly)

In the evening, we made it back to the Water Puppet Show. Before it began, we sat down outside and waited. As we were standing up, we noticed RATS! running along the wall behind us. We went inside the theater, and the puppet show began. The stage was a pool of water, with a screen behind it. On either side of the stage, there were people who played instruments, sang, and did the puppet voices. Above the stage, we saw a rat run across the curtains and down the wall...which kept us on edge for the rest of the play. The play was a series of individual, unrelated scenes. In one scene, two birds meet, an egg pops out of the water, then it turns into a baby bird. In another scene, farm workers planted crops, and green rice grass grows up out of the water. The water puppets did interesting things, too--like blow smoke out of their ears. We were always wondering: how'd they do that with puppets?